Tihany's Illusion: The Search for Franz Czeisler

The Czeisler's make their way back to Post War Europe in an attempt to find a way to the America in the early days of the Cold War. However, It might not be as simple as they might think.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Season 2 Picks up where we left off. Franz finds himself in the newly established State of Israel. But, is this tiny Nation big enough for Franz's big ambitions? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Catherine and Sarah sit down to talk about experiences creating season 1 and a look forward into season 2 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

First part finale: Soviet occupation creates new and different dangers for Franz and his family as his state of mind moves from survival to escape.  For more information about this episode, please see the sources below. “Buying Romania’s Jews” - The Washington Post The Ransom of the Jews: The Story of the Extraordinary Secret Bargain Between Romania and Israel     See omnystudio.com/listener for p...

As Nazi Germany occupies Hungary and begins deporting Jewish communities, Franz must do everything he can to protect his family. NOTE: Audio will soon be updated to "Buchenwald will be liberated [in] just three months" rather than "one month" to reflect greater accuracy. For more information about this episode, please see the sources below. Yellow Star Houses One House in Budapest, 1944-1945: A Pe...

Following the events of Novi Sad, Franz struggles to find safety for him and his family. As the dangers in Europe continue to grow, the stakes grow with them.  For more information about this episode, please see the sources below. Remembering Cold Days: The 1942 Massacre of Novi Sad and Hungarian Politics and Society, 1942-1989 , Arpad von Klimo Hungarian policemen and soldiers standing over murde...

As Franz's family grows, so do the dangers in Europe. For more information about this episode, please see the sources below. The Wiener Holocaust Library: The Iron Guard Pogrom in Bucharest Synagogue, Romania, January 1941 - Yad Vashem The Bucharest Slaughterhouse  Axis Powers in WW11 - United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Hungarian Expansion - United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Hungarian...

Franz returns to a Europe that looks very different than the one he left behind.  For more information about this episode, please see the sources below. “Henry Coston Obituary” the Independent , 27 August 2001 Le Libre Parole headlines Le Libre Parole - United States Holocaust Memorial Museum See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Franz's adventure continues as he learns how to put on a show.... on both sides of the world. For more information about this episode, please see the sources below. Britannica - Transylvania Britannica - Roma  Kenrick, Donald (2007). Historical Dictionary of the Gypsies (Romanies) (2nd ed.). Scarecrow Press. Online version. Achim, V. 1998. Chapter III. Emancipation. In The Roma in Romanian History...

The Great Tihany was one of the most successful showmen in all of South America. But how did he get there? Take a peek behind the curtain of the Great Tihany to learn the exciting and often dark history behind the man who used his power of illusion to survive the Holocaust.  For more information about this episode, please see the sources below. It Happened at the Fantastic Circo Tihany Population...

The captivating true story about a man who used his illusions to survive and escape Nazi-occupied Europe only to become one of the Greatest Showmen the world had ever seen.   Tihany's Illusion: The Search for Franz Czeisler is coming soon to wherever you get your podcasts.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.